The Ultimate Ride: Get Fit,Get Fast,and Start Winning with the World's Top

I figure if Chris Carmichael is coaching Lance Armstrong, then he probably has some worthwhile things to share with the rest of us wanna-bes. If you have little or no understanding of cycling, training periodization, nutrition, tactics, or sports psychology, then you will definitely benefit from Carmichael's book. For those of us with a little background in these topics, you will probably enjoy reading the book, but its unlikely that you will garner any new insights to bicycle training or racing. I agree with my fellow raters - this book is an advertisement for Carmichael Training Systems (CTS). If you want (can afford) a coach, don't bother buying the book - pay a coach. I buy books so that I can learn enough to put together my own plan. If you want to do that, I recommend Joe Friel's outstanding The Cyclist's Training Bible (fantastic training plan advice, emphasis on goals, periodization, nutrition, etc.)or Smart Cycling by Arnie Baker (great indoor trainer workouts). Carmichael's book will make for good reading for any cycling buff, but you won't find out any "secrets" about Lance's program, and you will get more for your money with the other two books. Plus who wants to pay for CTS advertisement??

It's okay but hard to concentrate on what the author is saying when he uses a lot of abbreviations; especially in chapter four-examples, FP, FG, EM, CR, MT, HSS; unless you already know what these are you have to keep referring back in the chapter. The first few chapters are about developing your goals-dream goals, long goals, visualization, etc and that was boring reading. He does talk alot about his company and how important it is to have a trainer. I bought the book in hopes that I wouldn't need a trainer and this book would help me build up my speed. I'm almost half way through the book and so far I'm not that impressed.

Excellent book for the serious rider, even after you stop being a serious rider. Good training advice, food advice, dietary recommendations, menus for exceptional meals. Carmichael is the guru when it comes to training serious cyclists and this is obvious as you read the book. I've referred to it numerous times even after i stopped competing and training at a serious level and I think I'll pull a menu out for a meal during the coming week.

This is a detailed presentation of Carmichael's Training system. It is appropriate for all skill levels. What makes this book good is that the information and advice recommended are based on a foundation of facts and proven results. Paired with this book is the "Food for Fitness."

good book, good advice, I just was not clear on the EPO order page, the website he mentioned to order EPO in the book is offline.. oanyone knows where to get it?

BasicLots of pages lost in not important issues, very basic info, doesnt gets deep and examples are not that clear

Really waste of time and money . The biggest part of time he keeps talking of how that drill had improve the performance and everybody else. The problem is that now we know that he never talk with Lance,at least not about training.The REAL COUCH of Lance was Dr Michelli Ferarri.

The most straightforward bicycling training book out there. other books such as the training bible may be more in depth, however they are also much more complicated.

Excellent book. It gave true understanding how to be a good cyclist.

Had really had high expectations after buying this book but it was a let down. Maybe it was great in 2004, but now it seems a little out dated especially since most of the information in it can be searched in the web. I was hoping for more of a deep dive into training. Also as in one of the reviews on this book, it makes you go back and forth searching for the meaning of abreviations that the author uses. Also, he could have reduced the number of times he mentions Lance Armstrong, it would have saved several pages.

Everything you need to plan out a training plan for a whole season.I love carmichael books, as there is just the right mix of anecdotes and theory to keep me entertained.